Stephanie Busari , award-winning journalist, tri-lingual story teller and soon to be media mogul (from our mouths to the ears of God), believes journalists are born not made. She got her first byline on her first assignment and hasn’t looked back since. Friendly, happy and kind (her words), Stephanie does not believe in hiding the female light under a bushel. From that award winning, career defining Chibok girls’ story to turning the lens on to other women with her latest project ‘HERSTORY’, Ste...
Mar 08, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Kingsley Moghalu , the newly minted head of the newly minted African School of Governance , presents his super impressive backstory with pride, with the conviction of a man who believes he is walking his destiny and manifesting the strategy he (and his much-revered father) laid out. A proud Igbo, this is a man whose Chi has clearly said YES , when he proclaimed that YES for himself. Just a few months after his birth in Lagos, he was beginning the globe-trotting that would mark his journey – Swit...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Juwon Ogungbe marches to the beat of his own particular Classico Euro/African drum (yep, we made that one up). He sings, composes, hosts his own radio show and describes himself (faux?) modestly as a content creator. Curious, creative and considerate – (the jury is still out on the last bit, after all, which young person really is considerate) – Juwon has lived his life unapologetically and on his own creative terms, but always, always, with music, theatre and creatively. In this episode, we dis...
Dec 15, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Biola Alabi is definitely not one for imposing limits on her own possibilities; she thrives, no, revels in re-invention. From public health to super TMT (tech, media and telecom) impact investing (with a serendipitous detour into marketing), she has lived, loved, lost and thrived well enough to wear the t-shirt with her full chest. Kind, resilient and determined, Biola navigates her complicated, ultra-high achieving tri-coastal, hyphenated life with a hard-won lightness and, yes, even joy. In th...
Oct 02, 2024•50 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Anyone claiming to know anything about the art scene in Nigeria who hasn’t heard of Jess Castellote really needs to get out more; or perhaps just get out of the art scene altogether. Jess himself is rather more self-effacing, self-deprecating and ultra-low key. He arrived in Nigeria as an architect volunteer in 1984, fell in love with ART (the capital letter is the story) and, fast forward forty years, he has conceived, designed and built probably the best university museum in West Africa. Oh, a...
Jul 28, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Dr. Wole Odedun’s life story has been truly epic! He really could have ended up as a motor mechanic, eking out an existence on Lebanon Road, Ibadan, Nigeria. Instead, he went back to school, went abroad, studied medicine, worked jolly hard and struck gold; no, hit the mother lode. In this episode, we discuss: · Ode Omu, Ibadan, Malta, Harley Street? Not the most obvious of trajectories surely; · God, fate, serendipity, making your own luck? Take your pick; · Education, education, education/prope...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 1
With nearly 30 years as an international civil servant working with the UN, Yewande Odia has been in all the hotspots - Somalia, Haiti, Goma, Tchad and yes, even New York (the original hotspot)! In this episode, we discuss: UN or bust - how to get your foot through the door; Trevor Noah, Chris Rock and the attraction of the educated comic; Theatre arts, school band, UN? Not the most obvious of career paths; Dangerous situations and intense friendships - the correlation; Korean dramas, Old school...
Dec 21, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 4
As if Sarah Boulos’s backstory (past imperfect?) was not epic enough, her present continuous one merits its own Hollywood (or is it Nollywood?) biopic. Born in Burkina Faso, schooled in France and US, Lebanese father and French mother; living in Nigeria for many decades, Sarah has truly bloomed where she was planted. Vibrant, passionate and a muse, Sarah’s life has been one of great highs and horrible lows, heady peaks and shattering troughs, filled with sublime moments and truly ridiculous phas...
Nov 22, 2023•50 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Blessing Adesiyan established WorkLife Africa, a think-tank focussed on transforming the continent's workforce and work spaces. She has made quite a journey from tech to care, not the first pivot that springs to mind but as the mistress of making lemonade from lemons, she now sits comfortably in her own skin. In this episode, we discuss: Finding yourself pregnant in Uni and making it work; The incredible power of a loving father; Growing up in Nigeria, being fearless and that unquantifiable supe...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 2
Ugoma Ebilah is a polymath - she has been an economist, successful financier, clothes designer, art dealer and now, one word which might just work when trying to box the unboxable would be 'creative entrepreneur'. In this episode, we discuss: The corporate lane, having an eye, wanting more and the side hustle mission creep. Clarity vs choosing not to know. The indefinable attractiveness of being light. The secret dream job, the Mercedes Benz dream car and that most un-pc of creatures - the petro...
Sep 14, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Only the paranoid survive! Only the paranoid survive? Yes! Tokunboh George - Taylor lives by that mantra and she really should know. She is THE foremost PR strategist in Nigeria and founding Managing Director at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Nigeria. Served her and her clients well (very well) and in this episode, we discuss: branding, self branding and positioning; that line between branding and pushiness; knowing what you want and getting ready to get it; Ikoyi Club, Golf and strategising; Charity...
Apr 03, 2023•54 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Uzo Nzeogu, a talented artist who studied Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka with greats like Bruce Onobrakpeya and El Anatsui seemed all set to claim his place as a fine artist. But then, he did the maths, ditched paint and chose pragmatism. Pragmatism led him to Newswatch, to Dele Giwa, to Ray Ekpu, to Dan Agbese and to 'the happiest time of my life'. The newsroom rush, the boardroom manoeuvring, the tragic, shocking murder of Dele Giwa, Uzo was in the thick of it. In t...
Feb 21, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Helen took a short trip away from university and came back as Miss Nigeria 1979! Sharp, shrewd and always impeccably turned out, Helen Prest Ajayi neatly turned the beauty currency into entrepreneurship, into businesses way ahead of the times. In this episode, we discuss: using what you have to get what you want. spotting trends way ahead of time. Buka (yes, that Buka) and the fast food thing. SPARE, Prince Harry and telling your own story. Jogging in Banana Island really can inspire you - no, h...
Feb 06, 2023•56 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Eku Edewor is many things but one thing she definitely is not is a slacker. Not just a pretty face (and what a pretty face), she believes in grafting and earning her flowers. In this episode, we discuss: 9 years old and catching the bug (yes, do put your daughter on the stage Mrs. Worthington). 53 Extra, Castle & Castle, Netflix and longevity in the business. UK or Naij? - would I?, should I?, could I ? and the angst of choice. Identity and name change. Not black enough v not quite white eno...
Jan 26, 2023•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 9
A lion in the den who has made his mark on the property landscape. Paul Onwuanibe is group chief executive officer of Landmark Africa Group. With formal education in Architecture, Property Development and Construction Management, together with a London Business School MBA with a merit in “Value Engineering” Paul is one of the renowned lions on the Nigerian business reality show "Lion's Den" and in this episode, we discuss: the Lion's Den and choosing winners (or not). that initial funding - frie...
Jan 11, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 8
For years, Dr. Ayo Aderinwale lived and breathed African political science. He has been in exile fleeing Abacha's regime, been a key figure in the plans and preparations for the United States of Africa, been Deputy President , Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union, established and became executive director of the African Leadership Forum... and then on a flight from Addis, after a particularly frustrating episode, he had his damascene moment. He was done! Bye bye political s...
Dec 15, 2022•1 hr 39 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Old Gregorian, avid Banana Island Living listener and serial entrepreneur, Adeyemo Sodipo, has embedded himself in the community he migrated into - St. Louis, Missouri. He has set up businesses, serves as a trustee of that most WASP of WASP American institutions, the private Prep school, been a union employer and sits on the board of his local Crime Victim Advocacy Centre. Adeyemo represents that most conflicted of individuals - the diaspora Nigerian. In this episode we discuss: Once a Gregorian...
Dec 01, 2022•47 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Continuing our series unveiling the experiences and memories of the generation before ours, how they lived, loved and explored, our guest is none other than The Original Original, the legend in her own lifetime, Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye. An absolute one-off in the art and craft space and an all-round wonderful personality, Mama Nike shares incredible awe-inspiring stories spanning six decades. In this episode, we discuss: The 14-year-old runaway bride. Serendipity vs making your own luck. Mbar...
Nov 03, 2022•43 min•Season 4Ep. 5
The fourth in our series of conversations with people 75 years and over, our conversation with the musical octogenarian is one that uplifts and serenades. We speak with Edna Jane Deinyo Soyanwo (EJD). Born on Sunday January 7th, 1934, EJD holds a BA (Dunelm) degree, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of London, Associate of the Royal College of Music (ARCM) and a Masters in Education from the University of North Wales (Bangor). She has had a long successful teaching car...
Oct 20, 2022•43 min•Season 4Ep. 4
The third in our series of conversations with people 75 years and over, our conversation with the royal professor could not have come at a better time - a week after Queen Elizabeth's passing. We speak with Emeritus Professor Osato Frank Giwa-Osagie, Cambridge educated obstetrician-gynaecologist and educator. Professor Giwa-Osagie is a recipient of the Adrian Stokes Memorial award from Guys Hospital Medical School, London, 1975, Chevalier du Lion, Republic of Senegal, Dakar, and a truly worthy p...
Oct 06, 2022•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 3
The second in our series of conversations with people 75 years and over, this episode is a truly special one. We meet two Agbaje sisters (82 and 91 years old) who have lived their best lives and lived to tell the tale. Mrs. Moulin Ashake Agbaje - Anozie and Ms. Wule Agbaje (the Agbajes) are special, and boy, do let us know it! In this episode, we talk about: life as children of a millionaire in pre-independence Nigeria polygamy and family life la dolce vita in 50s England Cliff Richard (of all t...
Sep 22, 2022•58 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Hers was the generation that saw the best of times and, arguably, the worst of times. The heady, optimistic pre Nigerian independence days and then, the abyss of the Civil War. Mrs. Eugenia Arinola Afolabi has seen it all, done it all and wears the robes with a twinkle in her eye. In this episode we discuss: being wooed and wedded in 50s Nigeria; life as a foreign student in 50/60s England; fostering - good and not so great; skiing whilst black; from Guinea to Japan, New York to Belgium - moving...
Sep 01, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 1
The big C, the dreaded C, that soul destroying word we do everything possible (or at least try) to avoid. Yes, Cancer! In seeking to find some cause for optimism, no matter how faint, we speak to Moji Animashaun, an experienced cancer treatment professional with over 30 years' experience as a radiation therapist. Moji retired as a Deputy Director in the Oncology unit at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in 2018 after practising in 5 different hospitals on 3 different continents. She h...
Jul 28, 2022•53 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Sade Doherty works hard - at being a business lawyer, family court assessor, school governor, Musical Society of Nigeria trustee, Centre for Contemporary Arts trustee, and at that most social of High Church communities, The Pink Ladies of the Cathedral Church of Christ. In this episode, we talk about: wearing many hats being 'se kari' or in English - strategic hard work Obama Nigerian politics today and groan, the joke - never smutty but not clean either. A light, soufflé of an episode. You'll l...
Jul 06, 2022•49 min•Season 3Ep. 9
'The diet starts tomorrow!' Yeah, sure. We've all been there, said that, got the oversized tee shirt. Olamide Balogun, the 'awakening lifestyles' guru and certified wellness coach, puts us through our paces and tells us a few home truths about those healthy choices. We discuss: losing weight veganism on a Nigerian diet what not to eat or drink fasting Downton Abbey (who knew?) faith and that seemingly constantly recurring Proverbs 31 woman music, books and yes, that joke thing. Check out Olamide...
Jun 23, 2022•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 8
Children have a voice, they should be encouraged to use it and people should be encouraged to listen (with apologies to the Duchess of Sussex). Tsemaye, Kwezi, Alicia and Tom from Nigeria, South Africa, France and the United Kingdom share their thoughts. We talk about: the war in Ukraine what makes them happy what they would like for the world the environment Movies - Encanto, Star Wars, Books, Music and yes, we get the obligatory joke - from the vaguely amusing to the groan worthy. A totally ch...
Jun 04, 2022•21 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Special Educational Needs (SEN) has become rather a ‘thing’ but was it ever thus and we are just more aware now? What do we mean by SEN? You know that feeling when you think something is not quite right? The worry, the angst, who do you call? What do you do? Apparently, “1 in 5 of us has dyslexia” - Dyslexia Nigeria, so yes, it is a ‘thing’. In the post-Covid world, what have practitioners in the coal face noticed about the children they see? In this episode, the second in our Education Series, ...
May 19, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 6
You get the degrees, plan for the business, find the ideal one at the right price - what could possibly go wrong? Well, plenty as it turns out. Tope Egoh takes us through her adventures in the education space in the UK and now in Nigeria. The highs and lows, agony and ecstasy. She tells us, knowing what she knows now, would she do it all again? In this episode, Tope discusses resilience, passion, burdensome regulation and yes, even racism! In your face, can’t-avoid-it racism. T he first in what ...
Apr 13, 2022•50 min•Season 3Ep. 5
This Women’s Month we demystify money, wealth creation and preservation and who better to do this than a woman who does all these and does them well. Bimpe Nkontchou, legal practitioner, family office manager, wealth advisor, art patron extraordinaire and now fintechpreneur! In this episode, we chat about: Advising the Uber wealthy; Succession planning versus ‘Apres moi, le deluge’; Bimpe’s thoughts on NFTs and Crypto; Asa, the latest album, keeping that headspace and yep, the quintessential mum...
Mar 30, 2022•59 min•Season 3Ep. 4
‘Niyi Coker, Jr. is currently Professor & Director of the School of Theatre, Television and Film at San Diego State University in California. Prior to which for 14 years, he was the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Chair & Distinguished Professor in African-American Studies at the University of Missouri in Saint Louis. Despite formidable opposition, he created the first and only degree granting program in African-American Studies at the University of Alabama in 1999—almost 30 years post-civil righ...
Mar 17, 2022•55 min•Season 3Ep. 3
